Juan

Thornhill

Delpit was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury in December and now the Browns open his practice window with Wild Card Weekend looming. He got in a limited practice on Wednesday, opening the door for a potential return on Saturday. Fellow defensive backs Juan Thornhill (calf) and Greg Newsome (knee) also practiced in a limited capacity as the secondary prepares for C.J. Stroud and company.

As expected, safety Juan Thornhill was removed from the injury report. Ward has dealt with a number of injuries this year. The shoulder issue forced him to miss Week 12 and will cost him at least one more appearance. Even without Ward in the lineup, Cleveland’s defense remains a nightmare matchup for Matthew Stafford and the Rams.

Fellow defensive back Juan Thornhill also missed practice. Thornhill is listed with a calf issue, though he played through the injury last week, so he should be good to go for Week 13 barring a setback. With Ward less likely to play and Myles Garrett also considered day-to-day, the Browns’ juggernaut defense could be a less formidable opponent for the Rams this week.

Ward played in the Browns’ Week 11 win over the Steelers, suffering a shoulder injury during the game. While it is unclear how severe the injury is, Ward sits out practice to begin the week. S Grant Delpit (thigh) and S Juan Thornhill (calf) also missed practice, leading to a thin Browns secondary.

Thornhill was unable to practice at all this week. The good news is that Cornerback Greg Newsome, who was dealing with a groin injury, was removed from the injury report. Thornhill suffered the calf injury and Week 10 and was listed as questionable to return. He did not retake the field after going down.

Ward exited the game in the first quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Despite clearing concussion protocol, the Browns opted to sideline Ward for the remainder of the day with a neck injury. The Browns’ secondary has taken multiple hits on the day, with safety Juan Thornhill being listed as questionable to return with a calf injury.

Thornhill was limited in Wednesday’s practice but was downgraded to a DNP for the following two sessions. Rodney McLeod will start at free safety in place of Thornhill. Cleveland signed Thornhill to a three-year, $21 million contract in the offseason but will need to wait at least one more week to see his debut.

Thornhill was limited in Wednesday’s practice but did not see the field on Thursday or Friday. The fact he didn’t get on the field to close out the week would lead us to believe he’s trending toward missing Week 1, but the questionable tag leaves the door open for him playing. If Thornhill is unable to go, safety Rodney McLeod Jr. is listed behind him on the depth chart.

A critical cog at the back end of the Chiefs’ defense for the duration of his rookie contract, Thornhill arrives in Cleveland on the older side for a player going into their fifth season (28 in October) but also as a proven playmaker with as much experience as you could possibly want in a free agent addition. Thornhill has also been durable, and improved against the run after some early-career issues. He’s a worthy addition to what has been a loaded Browns defensive free agent class.

Thornhill was placed on the active/PUP list on July 31 after tearing his ACL back in late December. Reports stated this summer that Thornhill was expected to be healthy in time for Week 1, and there is still time for that to happen. The young safety was a difference maker for the Chiefs’ secondary during his rookie season.